Online Program

278325
African American men and informed prostate cancer-related decision making: Developing valid measures


Monday, November 4, 2013 : 2:30 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.

Otis Owens, MPH, Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
Tracey Thomas, MA, MS, DrPH, Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior, University of South Carolina, columbia, SC
Calvin James, MPH, Cancer Prevention and Control Program, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
Dawnyea Jackson, PhD, Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
Andrea Williams, M.Ed, Institute for Partnerships to Eliminate Heatlh Disparities, University of South Carolina, Columbia
Daniela B Friedman, PhD, Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
John R. Ureda, DrPH, Insights Consulting, Inc., Columbia, SC
Kim Johnson, RN, Spartanburg Regional Healthcare, Gibbs Cancer Center, Spartanburg, SC
Joe Dickey, Spartanburg Chapter, Us Too International, Spartanburg
Ron Miller, Spartanburg Chapter, Us Too International, Spartanburg
Sonya Lovett, Spartanburg Regional Healthcare, Gibbs Cancer Center, Spartanburg, SC
Lucy Gansauer, RN, MSN, CPSO, OCN, Spartanburg Regional Healthcare, Gibbs Cancer Center, Spartanburg, SC
James Bearden, MD, FACP, Spartanburg Regional Healthcare, Gibbs Cancer Center, Spartanburg, SC
James R. Hebert, ScD, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
African-American (AA) men experience significantly higher prostate cancer (PrCA) incidence and mortality rates than do European-American men. AA men in South Carolina have the highest PrCA mortality rates in the United States. In order to effectively create and implement interventions to reduce PrCA disparities, we developed and pilot-tested a survey measuring whether, and to what extent, AA men in South Carolina are: 1) learning about PrCA screening, treatment, and survival and 2) engaging in informed decision making about PrCA screening and treatment as recommended by the American Cancer Society. A 45-item survey (to be administered statewide) containing demographic, knowledge, and behavioral questions was developed based on existing instruments. A purposive, convenience sample of 35 AA men 40-74 years of age were recruited to participate in one of two 90-minute group-based cognitive interviews where they completed the survey and provided feedback regarding the format, readability, and content of each survey question. All participants were instrumental to the discussion and provided valuable feedback on each question. Approximately 34 of the questions were modified. Overall, men felt that the format and content of the questions were appropriate. Specific changes such as changing word selection (e.g., friend vs. acquaintance) enhanced question readability. In order to create culturally appropriate survey instruments researchers should consider pilot-testing their instruments among a small subset of their target population. Coordinating forums where the community can be involved in early phases of the research process can increase rapport and establish trust between communities and researchers.

Learning Areas:

Administer health education strategies, interventions and programs
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Public health or related education
Public health or related research
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
Explain the importance of pre-testing a survey with an appropriate audience prior to full implementation of the instrument. Identify ways to work with the community during the planning phases of your research.

Keyword(s): Cancer Prevention, Health Communications

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am qualified to present the submitted abstract because I have served as a prostate cancer researcher and health communications specialist for more than three years. I am a project coordinator for a federally funded prostate cancer pilot education project and I also serve on multiple prostate cancer and communications related workgroups including the Science and Health Communication Research Group at the University of South Carolina and the South Carolina Cancer Alliance’s Prostate Cancer Workgroup.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.